Two policemen killed in Kilmallock barracks attack
Kilmallock, 29 May 1920 - Two policemen were killed and one was seriously wounded during a republican attack on a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.
The attackers numbered between 50 and 100, while 10 men defended the barracks according to figures in the Irish Independent.
The incident took place in the early hours of yesterday morning and lasted five hours amid near continuous rifle fire and exploding grenades. The Irish Independent noted that the policemen were asked to surrender but they declined to, thereby prolonging the battle. The attackers were able to acquire positions overlooking the western wing of the barracks from a nearby house and used this position to throw petrol and paraffin bombs through the roof.
The battle ended with the barracks in ruins and two policemen dead. They have been named as Sergeant Thomas Keane and Constable Joseph Morton. It is believed their escape route was cut off by falling debris.
The assault matched the pattern that has been seen in similiar incidents rural Ireland; communications were cut, roads were blocked and lights were ordered to be extinguished in the town. Civilians living nearby were evacuated under armed guard while the attack went on.
A Freeman’s Journal correspondent, who arrived on the scene in the aftermath of the attack, called it a ‘desperate and bloody battle’.
The unionist Irish Times has praised the heroism of the RIC men. In the long annals of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the newspaper trumpeted, there is ‘no finer story of fearless service’.
It is understood that Sergeant Kane will be buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin following a Requiem Mass in the coming days.
[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]
